How to Deal with the Uncertainty of Bipolar Disorder

Overview

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness. It causes severe mood swings ranging from extreme highs, or mania, to extreme lows, or depression. Bipolar mood swings may occur as infrequently as a few times a year or as often as a few times a week.

Bipolar I disorder is characterized by at least one manic episode followed by a depressive episode.

Bipolar II disorder is characterized by at least one major depressive episode lasting at least two weeks and at least one episode of irritability for four days, but without any manic episodes.

Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by at least two years with many episodes of irritability and depression, with symptoms that occur at least half of the time and don’t go away for more than two months at a time.

The specific symptoms of bipolar disorder vary depending on which type of bipolar disorder is diagnosed. Yet some symptoms are common in most people with bipolar disorder. These include:

anxiety

trouble concentrating

irritability

mania and depression at the same time

disinterest and loss of pleasure in most activities

an inability to feel better when good things happen

unusual behavior during social interactions, such as holding the body in an odd position, not speaking, or mimicking another person’s speech or body movements

moods that change with the seasons

rapid changes in mood

psychosis that causes a detachment from reality, often resulting in false but strong beliefs (delusions) and the hearing or seeing of things that don’t exist (hallucinations)

If you have a friend, family member, or significant other with bipolar disorder, it’s important to be patient and understanding of their condition. Yet helping a person with bipolar disorder isn’t always easy. Here’s what you should know.

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Manic episode

How can you help someone during a manic episode?

During a manic episode, a person will experience feelings of high energy, creativity, and joy. A person will talk very quickly, get very little sleep, and may act hyperactively. They may also feel invincible, which can lead to risk-taking behaviors.

Some common symptoms of a manic episode include:

an unusually “high” or optimistic attitude

extreme irritability

unreasonable (usually grand) ideas about one’s skills or power

abundant energy

racing thoughts that jump between different ideas

being easily distracted

trouble concentrating

impulsiveness and poor judgment

reckless behavior with no thought about consequences

delusions and hallucinations

During these episodes, a person with bipolar disorder is very likely to act recklessly. Sometimes they may go as far as endangering their own life or the lives of the people around them. Remember that this person can’t fully control their actions during episodes of mania. Therefore, it’s not always an option to try to reason with them to try to stop behaving a certain way.

It can be beneficial to keep an eye out for the warning signs of a manic episode so that you can react accordingly. People with bipolar disorder may show different symptoms, but some common warning signs include:

a very sudden lift in mood

an unrealistic sense of optimism

sudden impatience and irritability

a surge in energy and talkativeness

an expression of unreasonable ideas

How to react depends on the severity of the person’s manic episode. In some cases, doctors may recommend that the person increase their medication, take a different medication, or even be brought to the hospital for treatment.

But in other cases, you may be able to talk your loved one through a manic episode. When they’re not showing any symptoms, talk to them about how you could best help them through their mania. This way you’ll know the best way to react when the time comes.

In general, try to avoid entertaining any grand or unrealistic ideas, which may increase a person’s likelihood to engage in risky behavior. Talk calmly and encourage the person to engage in calming behaviors such as drawing, reading, or resting.

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Depressive episode

How can you help someone during a depressive episode?

Just as it can be challenging to help a loved one through a manic episode, it can be tough to help them through a depressive episode. Some common signs of a depressive episode include:

sadness, hopelessness, and emptiness

irritability

inability to take pleasure in activities

fatigue, or loss of energy

physical and mental lethargy

changes in weight or appetite, such as gaining weight and eating too much, or losing weight and eating too little

problems with sleep, such as sleeping too much or too little

problems focusing or remembering things

feelings of worthlessness or guilt

thoughts about death or suicide

Just as with a manic episode, doctors may suggest a change in medication, an increase in medication, or a hospital stay for a person experiencing a depressive episode. Again, you’ll want to develop a coping plan for depressive episodes with your loved one when they’re not showing any symptoms.

You can also help a loved one during a depressive episode. Listen attentively, offer helpful coping advice, and try to boost them up by focusing on their positive attributes.

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Signs of emergency

What are signs of an emergency?

In general, feel free to help a person as long as they don’t appear to be posing a risk to their life or the lives of others. Be patient, attentive to their speech and behavior, and supportive in their care.

But in some cases, it’s not always possible to help a person through a manic or depressive episode and you’ll need to get expert help. Some signs of an emergency include:

violent behavior or speech

risky behavior

threatening behavior or speech

suicidal speech or actions, or talk about death

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Suicide prevention

Suicide prevention

If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:

Call 911 or your local emergency number.

Stay with the person until help arrives.

Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm.

Listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.

If you think someone is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.